Towelette dispenser apparatus

• US 6,213,424 B1
• Filed: 11/06/1998
• Issued: 04/10/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Beverly Helfer-Grand
• Original Assignee: Beverly Helfer-Grand
• Inventors: Helfer-Grand, Beverly
• Primary Examiner(s): Walsh, Donald P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): RIVERA, WILLIAM ARAUZ
• Application Number:
  US09/187,493
• Time in Patent Office: 886 Days
• Field of Search: 242/563, 242/563.2, 242/564.1, 242/564.4, 222/192, 222/146.5, 239/239, 239/289, 239/135, 239/99, 219/214, 219/386, 219/521
• US Class Current: 242/564.1
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 10/34 dispensing from a web, e.g. with mechanical dispensing means
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 10/485 combined with a textile or paper towel dispenser
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 2010/3266 Wet wipes

Abstract

A portable dispenser apparatus that dispenses pre-moistened towelettes from a web. The dispenser includes a housing presenting a towelette dispensing opening and a storage compartment adapted to support the web of towelettes in a roll. A dispensing assembly is provided for drawing the end-most towelette from the web and dispensing it through the dispensing opening when a dispensing actuator is operated. The actuator activates the dispensing assembly to dispense a single towelette from the web, and returns the remaining web to the roll subsequent to removal of the end-most towelette by the user so that the next towelette of the web remains moist until subsequently dispensed. A manually operated web-fed dispenser and a travel dispenser are also provided, as is a moistening composition for use on the towelettes.

Claims

1. A portable dispenser apparatus for dispensing pre-moistened towelettes from a web roll, comprising:

a housing formed with a towelette dispensing opening, and a storage compartment adapted to support the web of pre-moistened towelettes in a roll;

a dispensing means for drawing an end-most towelette from the web and dispensing it through the dispensing opening;

an activating means for activating the dispensing means to dispense the end-most towelettes from the web, the activating means including an actuator that momentarily actuates the activating means when operated to dispense a single towelette; and

a removal sensing means for sensing removal of the end-most towelette of the web from the dispensing opening and providing a control signal, the dispensing means being responsive to the control signal to return the remainder of the web to the storage compartment subsequent to removal of the end-most towelette from the dispensing opening.

2. The dispenser apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the housing is formed of a heat insulative material.

3. The dispenser apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a warming means for warming the end-most towelette during operation of the dispensing means.

4. The dispenser apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a disposal means for receiving used towelettes.

5. The dispenser apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein the disposal means includes a compartment with an open top end, and a disposal bag suspended in the compartment so that towelettes can be deposited into the bag through the open top end of the compartment.

6. The dispenser apparatus as recited in claim 5, further comprising a means for storing additional disposal bags.

7. The dispenser apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein the disposal means includes a cover for closing the open top end of the compartment.

8. The dispenser apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein the compartment includes an upper edge that supports the disposal bag while permitting the bag to be removed for emptying.

9. The dispenser apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a hand drying assembly including an air inlet, an air outlet, a fan for moving air from the inlet to the outlet, an air filter through which the air is forced, and a warming means for warming the air as it is moved from the inlet toward the outlet.

10. The dispenser apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein two air outlets are provided.

11. The dispenser apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a means for indicating the size of the roll in the storage compartment as an indication of the number of towelettes remaining to be dispensed.

12. The dispenser apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a paper towel holder supported on the housing.

13. The dispenser apparatus as recited in claim 12, further comprising a stabilizing means for stabilizing the removal of paper towels from the holder.

14. The dispenser apparatus as recited in claim 12, further comprising a sensor responsive to the removal sensing means for detecting the identity of the user of the apparatus.

15. The dispenser apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the dispensing means includes a motor, the apparatus further comprising a power cord for supplying power to the motor, and a means for retracting the power cord to prevent the formation of slack in the cord.